Haleakala Crater or Road to Hana

We are going on a cruise and will be in Maui two days. Kids want to snorkel the Molokini Crater on one day. Not sure if we should take the Haleakala Crater Tour or Road to Hana Tour. If you had one day, which would you do?

Haleakala Crater or Road to Hana

Hi,

We just came back from Maui. We did a both the Haleakala crater horseback ride and the DIY Hana hwy driving tour. We definitely like the crater ride better. The Hana hwy is pretty but there were too many people on the road and by all of the waterfalls. It is hard to find a waterful that you can take some pictures and enjoy a swim in peace and quiet. The crater is really something else. The scenery is so unreal and stunning!

katieing

Haleakala Crater or Road to Hana

With kids I would definitely recommend Haleakala. There is a National Park Service visitor center with exhibits and the scenery changes as you go up. You%26#39;ll see beautiful houses then fields with cows and horses, thru a eucalyptus forest then up to where only low ground cover grows. Very pretty but lots of switch-backs so pay attention to the road and it can get foggy. I actually had to turn back one time because of the fog. You can stop at a couple of cute little shops that sell protea flowers and snacks/beverages about 1/3 of the way up. I recommend stopping at Makawao on the way back if you have time and walk around this cute artsy little town.

Road to Hana is beautiful and has ocean views on one side and lush mountain views on the other. Road is right up against the side of the mountain. You really have to pay attention on this road because most of the bridges are single lane. I%26#39;ve driven it twice and I was pooped afterward. I always remember the time a huge tanker truck was right on my tail. ugh.

Hello CruiseMomOf4

If you or your children get car-sick easily, the road to Hana is a big no-no. We had to turn back after a few miles we were all about to be sick--and I was driving very slowly. There are so many bends that I really wouldn%26#39;t think of it if I were you.

Haleakala is just out of this world. As sublime as the Grand Canyon or the Bay of Cook on Moorea Island. If your kids are small provide ample reserves of chewing gum. The altitude at the top is 3200 meters above sea level if I am not mistaken. Children get their ears blocked because of the altitude. Pray for very clear weather so you can see the VIEW!!! The various exhibits on the way are very interesting (how tsunamis are formed, etc.) and my youngest (8 at the time) was fascinated.

Have a nice trip,

JP

The road to the summit looks very winding too. Is it as bad as Hana Rd? Do people get car sick on this road?

The two roads are very different :

--Hana hugs the coast with its capes and bays hence the road winds between land %26amp; sea.

--Haleakala is give or take 3200 m. above sea level so this means a steep incline, long straight stretches and very sharp bends which can be negotiated at comfortable speed because you see them coming from afar. On the way down do not use your brakes but use your engine brake (low gear). Moreover it is easy to pull off the road for a breath of fresh air which is not so easy on the narrow Hana road with trucks behind you. The only downside is mist but wait till you reach the top because the mist might suddenly lift and allow you to see the view.

There%26#39;s great snorkeling right offshore on Maui. People also love the snorkeling trip to Lanai. Molokini is a bit over-rated, IMO.

Remember that driving up to Haleakala means a big change in altitude. This is different from, say, the Rockies, because you are starting at sea level.

Many people enjoy renting a car on Maui and making their own ';tour';. It%26#39;s also cost-effective over the ship%26#39;s excursions. There%26#39;s nowhere on Maui that ';requires'; you to have a tour guide or tour driver. It%26#39;s also a small island. You can cross the valley in 30 minutes; go from Wailea to Lahaina in an hour.

We just returned with kids 9 and 11. The girls really enjoyed Haleakala - we did the Jr. Ranger program- they learned a lot but had fun doing it. We did not want to hazard the road to Hana due to car-sick issues, but did go to the Garden of Eden. That was perfect. It is 1/2 to Hana - stopped at one waterfall mini-hike on the way. You move your car around at GOE and see the beautiful vistas. There are peacocks and ducks - the kids really enjoyed it. Another idea is The Iao Needle and the Rainforest Walk. Again our girls really enjoyed the Nature Center and all the Exhibits. There was 1 other family on our Rainforest Walk and they were there on a cruise ship day in port.